The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-07-14

CLEVELAND DECLINES.
The President Will be Absent from
the g. A. 3. EnCsmpment.
bis Feelings Hurt by Unworthy and
WaDtOn Attacks,
But Not Conscious Of any Fear at the
Hands Of the Vets,
Vat Ha Musf Drotont fha n;c-n;txx -
Yet He Must Protect the Dignity Of
His High ONCE.

verbally invited the president to visit
this city during the holding of the en-
campment of the Grand Army of the
Republic in September, is printed in the
Republican this morning and explains
itself without further comment:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
July 4, 1SS7.-HOn. David X. Francis,
Mayor and Chairman-My Dear SIR
When received your extremely cordial
end gratifying invitation from the citi-
zens of st. Louis, rendered by a num-
Der OF her representative men, to visit
that city during the national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Re
public, l had been contemplating for
some time the acceptance of an invita-
ton from that organization to the same
effect, and had considered the pleas
ure which it would afford me
If it should be possible to
meet not only the members of the
Grand Army, but the people of st.
Louis and other cities in the west
which occasion should give me an OPP
portunity to visit. The exactions of
my public duties felt to be so uncer-
tain, however, that, when first con-
frOnted by the delegation of which you
were the head, l expected to do no
more at that time than to promise con-
sideratiOn of the double invitation ten
dered me and express the pleasure it
would give me TO accept the same
thereafter il possible. But the cordial
ity and sincerity of your presentation,
reinforced by the heartiness of the
people who surrounded you, 80 i'm
pressed me that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me to assure
you on the spot that would be with
you and the Grand Army of the Re-
public at the time designated.if nothing
happened, meantime, to absolutely
prevent my leaving Washington. Inn
mediately upon the public announce
ment of this conclusion expressions
emanating from certain important
members of the Grand Army of the Re
public and increasing in volume and
virulence, constrained me TO review my
acceptance of these invitations. The
expressions referred to go to the extent
OF declaring that would be an unwel-
come guest at the time and place of the
national encampment. This statement
Is based, as well as / can Judge, upon
certain official acts of mine involving
important public interests, done under
the restraints and obligations of my
oath of Office, which do not appear to ac-
cord with the wishes of some members
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
refuse to believe that this organization,
founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely of men entitled
to lasting honor and consideration, and
whose browning glory it should be that
they are American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers, deems it part of its
mission to compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimidate the
executive or coerce those charged with
making and executing laws, and yet
the expressions to which l have re-
ferred indicate such prevalence of I'M
friendly feeling and such a menace to
the occasion which should be harmoni-
Gus, peaceful and cordial that they
cannot be ignored. l beg you to under
stand that am not conscious of any
act of mine which should make me
fear to meet the Grand Army of the
Republic or any other assembly of
fellow citizens. An account of my
official stewardship is always
ready for presentation to my country
men and / should not. be frank if l
failed to confess, while disclaiming all
resentment, that have been hurt by
unworthy and wanton attacks upon me
growing out of this matter and the
reckless manner in which my actions
and motives have been misrepresented,
both publicly and privately, for which,
however, the Grand Army of the Re-
public, as body, is by no means re-
sponsible. Threats of personal violence
and harm in case / undertake the
trip in question, which scores
of misguided and unbalanced men I'M
der the stimulation of excited feeling
have made are not even considered
Rather than abandon my visit to the
west and disappoint your citizens l
might, If were alone concerned, sub
NIT to the insult to which it is quite
openly asserted would be helplessly
subjected if present at the encamp-
ment, but should bear with me there
the peoples highest Office, the dignity
of which must protect, and i believe
that neither the Grand Army of the
Republic as an organization, nor
anything like majority of
its members would ever encourage any
scandalous attack upon it. If, how
ever, among the membership of this
body there are some, as certainly seems
to be the case, determined to denOunce
me and my official acts at the national
encampment, believe they should be
permitted to do so unrestrained by my
presence as guest of their oTganiZa-
ton or as a guest of the hospitable city
in which their meeting is held. A
number of Grand Army posts have
signified their intention, 1 am in
IOLAucu, W Iclldlu away HUH IHo ell
campment in case / visit the city at
that time. Without considering the
merit of such an excuse 1 feel that /
ought not to be thu cause of
such non-attendance. The time and
place of the encampment were
fixed long before my invitations were
received. Those desiring to participate
in its proceedings should be first re-
garded, and nothing should be permit
ted to interfere with their intentions
Another consideration of more import
ance than all others remains to be no
ticed. The fact was referred to by you
when you verbally presented the invita-
tion of the citizens of st. Louis, that
the coming encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic would be the
first held in southern state. / sup
pose this fact was mentioned as a pleas
ing Indication of the fraternal feeling
fast gaining ground throughout the en-
tire land, and hailed by every patriotic
citizen as an assurance that the union
has really and in fact been saved, in
sentiment and in spirit, with all the
people. l cannot rid myself
of the belief that the least
discord on this propitous occasion might
retard the progress of sentiment of a
common brotherhood which the Grand
Army of the Republic has so good an
opportunity to increase an foster.
certainly ought not to be the cause OF
such discord in any event or upon anJ
pretext. 1t seems to me that YOU anS
the citizens of st. Louis are entitled "a
this unreserVed statement of the condi
tions which have constrained me x
forego my contemplated visit and Il
withdraw my acceptance of your invi
tation. My presence in yourcity at tn
time you have indicated can be of bu
tile moment compared with the i'm
pt rtance OF a cordial and harmoniOn
entertainment of your other guests.
without the least personal FEELING an
cept the regret constrained thereto III
a sense of duty actuated by desire I,
save any embarrassment TO the peopl
o. st. Louis or their expected guests
ana with heart full of grateful appre
kindness of your citizens. Hoping tn
eno8mpment may be an occasion 7